Becoming a preschool teacher?

Question

I just started the process and got my financial aide papers done today just wondering what am i gettin myself into... what kinda classes i have to take, right now im want to start as an preschool ta.... and im in california..

Answer 1

I'm not so sure, Lei.  Obviously, you don't want chaos in the classroom, but I believe going into a classroom as if you're a drill sargent is not best practice and can cause some trauma to the children.  It's my belief that if you go into the room intending to nurture the children in all aspects - academically, physically, socially, emotionally and behaviorally - the children will respond to that.  They will come to trust that you have their best interests at heart and that you really care for them, therefore, their desire to please you will increase.  This world is a harsh, unlovely place to live sometimes - aggressiveness in the classroom only adds to that.

Sorry - I kind of went off on a tangent here, but I started to see a trend in this thread - quite a bit of negativity - and that is exactly what is not needed in an EC classroom.

Ladie, each school will have it's own planned curriculum for an early childhood degree.  Your workload for an associate's degree will be different than your workload for a bachelor's degree.  Either way, you'll be expected to take general education requirements.  These classes are similar to a high school workload - math, science, english, history, etc.  Then you will get into your course of study requirements.  These classes will deal specifically with early childhood education.  You'll likely take a literacy class, a class on child psychology, a class on early childhood learning environments, curriculum classes, observation classes, child development classes, etc.  There are too many to name.  Your college or university should have a catalog that will discuss the early education classes you will be taking.

Good luck with your plans.  Most of all, remember to nurture the children.

Answer 2

Your academic counselor can give you some idea of what the classes will be like. Also check to see if you can continue towards early childhood or elementary teaching if you decide too, with the credits you earn. Preschool has been my career for over 22 years and the children keep me going. It is because of them that I enjoy going to work. The administration can be a put off at times and the pay is low compared to most other career teaching jobs. But there is so much satisfaction seeing children grow and improve through the year. We also help so many parents understand their children too. It is a very worthwhile job.

Answer 3

Do you need special training to be a preschool TA? If not, and if you have not already done so, get the job as a TA and see if it's really what you want to do. You can still go to school; there are classes you have to complete in the first year or more no matter what you decide to major in. The most important thing to remember about preschool is that you'll deal with munchkins all day - and they'll wear you out!

Answer 4

What you can expect will vary on which state you want to teach in, set up a meeting with a community college education department head and ask them questions.

Answer 5

Will usually involve a core curriculum (Math, Science, etc.)  It will also involve several classes including:

--Child psychology

--Classroom management

--Administration

--Children's Literature.

Your academic counselor will be able to help you more with the specific school's requirements.

Matt

Answer 6

As a teacher, you must have patience in your students.  You have to treat them as your own child.  You should have many materials for your students.  Not only that, you should train them on their home membership and self help skills, ex: praying and wash hands before eating, must wait for their turn, fix their things, etc......  Importantly a teacher must have authority inside the classroom so that they will listen and follow or else there will be chaos in your classroom.

Answer 7

classes are not that bad...at least not in NC.  however, preschool teachers do not make the money that a kindergarten teacher does, which may be something you want toconsider.  Basically, it takes a special person to be the pre-K teacher who teaches the kids what they need to know to begin a healthy and happy journey through school.  As for K, it's great as well, because the kids (who went to pre-K) have agood start and are ready to learn.

I have worked in Pre-K for over 20 years and enjoy everyday I walk into the school.  Good luck on your studies and Congratulations.